Atheist shooter kills 26 in DEADLIEST CHURCH SHOOTING in American history - victims range from 5-years-old to 72

26-year-old shooter taken down by hero neighbors

Twenty-six-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley, a "creepy, outcast," married father and dishonorably discharged Air Force veteran, walked into the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs in Texas around 11:20 am on November 5, 2017.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Dressed in all black tactical gear with a ballistics belt and carrying a military-style Ruger assault rifle, Kelley opened fire on a church full of unsuspecting Christians worshipping the Lord.

Twenty-six people were murdered that morning. At least 20 others were injured and face a long road to recovery.

Twelve to 14 of the victims were innocent children, ranging from ages two to 14. An entire family of eight was taken down. A pregnant mother, a pastor, and the pastor's daughter were killed.

All of this happened in a small town outside of San Antonio, Texas with no stoplights and only a post office and a gas station. Residents were left in shock following what is now being called the worst mass shooting at a place of worship in American history.

Kelley ran out of the scene to his car and drove off. Johnnie Langendorff was across the street at the gas station when he saw what was taking place and was approached by Willeford. The pair followed Kelley going 95 mph, providing dispatch to the police letting them know their locations.

After hitting a sharp curve, Kelley lost control of his vehicle, according to Langendorff.

"It's like he just gave up. He just kind of went off in the ditch, hit a hay bale from what I could see and then he just never moved after that. He didn't get out. He didn't try anything. Nothing," expressed Langendorff.

"When he hit the ditch the gentleman that was with me got out, rested his rifle on my hood and kept it aimed at him - telling him to 'Get out, get out.' There was no movement there was none that. They guy didn't put up a fight or anything like that."

Police found Kelley dead inside his car with multiple weapons and possible explosives.

It is currently unknown whether Kelley died from a self-inflicted wound or by other means.

Among the deceased victims was 14-year-old Annabell Pomeroy, the adopted daughter of the church's pastor described as "one beautiful girl" and "a special child."

Six-year-old Brooke Garza and her eight-year-old sister, Emily were killed along with their mother Joann Ward.

Their nine-year-old sister, Rihanna had her glasses shot off her face, but survived by hiding under a pew. Ward's five-year-old stepson, Ryland was shot four times and remains in the hospital for surgery.

Bryan Holcombe and his wife, Sunday school teacher Karla were among the dead. Bryan was standing in as pastor for Frank Pomeroy when Kelley opened fire. Witnesses say he was the first victim.

"My father was a good man and he loved to preach. He had a good heart. They knew where they were going. There's peace in that," expressed their son Scott Holcombe to the Herald-Tribune.

The shooter was described by former classmates as an outcast and someone who was crazy, creepy, and weird.

Kelley joined the Air Force out of high school but was dishonorably discharged for assaulting his wife, Danielle Shields and their child.

His, now deleted by the FBI, Facebook account showed Kelley had an abnormal and worrying obsession, or fascination, with guns and other weaponry, posting pictures of guns and admiring them.

Kelley's acquaintances described multiple times where he would openly preach atheism over his social media accounts and often opened up arguments with other users.

"He was always talking about how people who believe in God we're stupid and trying to preach his atheism," stated Nina Rose Nava, who went to school with Kelley.

"It's scary to know this psychopath has been in my house. I can't believe I was friends with this guy and I literally would stay the night at his place when we were kids," described a former friend over Facebook. "I ended up distancing myself from him in high school after he got in an argument with me in school and he tried punching me several times. Dude was crazy man."

Kelley reportedly lived at his parents' home with his wife and child, according to the Daily Mail.

It has been revealed the shooter's in-laws were parishioners to the First Baptist Church and his ex-wife was a former teacher of the church, but neither of them was there at the time of the crime.

"I never thought it would happen here," Carrie Matula, a gas station worker said, describing the moment she heard the "semiautomatic gunfire."

"This is something that happens in a big city. I would never have thought this would have taken place here. It's just too tight a community. It doesn't make sense."

Texas Governor Greg Abbott offered his kind words and prayers for the victims and their families as he joined in one of the town's candlelight vigils following the attack.

Donald Trump sent his words of condolence from Asia, "Victims and their families were in their sacred place of worship. We cannot put into words the pain and grief we all feel."

"In dark times such as these, Americans do we what do best and we pull together. We lock hands and we join arms. Through the tears and through the sadness, we stand strong."

Please join us in praying for all those affected by this tragic act of senseless violence.